Hightest Staff
JIM & TEAL KNAPP
Owners
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Jim & Teal purchased Hightest in 2018 and have dedicated the last eight years towards expanding Hightest's training programs and strenuously testing Hightest's American Labrador Retrievers for health, ability, and temperament.
Prior to purchasing Hightest, Teal worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind from 1990-2013 as a nationally recognized Senior Licensed Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Instructor (GDOMI), training more than 3,000 dogs for blind and visually impaired handlers. Jim worked as an agriculture teacher for Las Plumas High School in Oroville. He taught agriculture at LP for over 30 years and operates the farming operation both at Hightest and on the family farm. Jim is an avid bird and big game hunter. He has trained his personal retrievers to hunt for more than thirty years.
Together, Jim and Teal have successfully trained dogs for the service dog industry, obedience, agility, search and rescue, and hunting.
BAILEY
Puppy Building Manager/Trainer
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
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BAILEY has had a big heart for animals since childhood. She currently hunts over her own Labrador during duck season and Hound dogs during raccoon season. She enjoys experiencing each dogs development, start to finish, and is dedicated to getting the optimum result with her dogs in training. Bailey became the Puppy Building Manger in 2018 and thrives on raising our puppies, ensuring they are of the best health and temperament before they are placed in loving homes. Bailey joined our training team in 2017 and has successfully placed 5 active Diabetic Alert Service dogs across the nation.
MELISSA
Kennel Manager / Green Dog Scent Detection
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MELISSA is our beloved Kennel Manager. She has an amazing eye for detail and keeps our facilities in outstanding shape which is why she was promoted to oversee all daily happenings at Hightest since 2018. Every dog boarded and trained at our kennel is under the direct supervision of Melissa. Recently she has been participating in AKC Scent Trials with her Labrador Wylde, and establishing a new program at Hightest directed around scent detection. You can also find Melissa in our breeding facilities assisting with the care of our puppies and breeding stock.
ANNA
DAD/Obedience Trainer/Gun Dog Trainer/ Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
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ANNA comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge of bird dogs. Her father, long time trainer and field judge - Gary Breitbarth, ignited her passion for dog training. From a young age Anna has been attending and handling Spaniels at field trials throughout the West coast & Midwest.
Anna joined our training team in 2021 and immediately immersed herself in learning many techniques and branches of K-9 training including obedience, service dog tasks, scent detection, and the occasional trick or two! She and her Labrador - Cane have been very successful in AKC hunt tests and scent detection trials recently.
Anna's dedication to teaching both dogs and their owners has made quite an impression with clients, earning her many referrals. Her honesty and easy communication skills give great confidence to our clients while they learn how to handle their dogs in training.
SIERRA
Obedience Trainer / Scent Detection Trainer/ Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Aiden
Thrower/Live Flyers